An exhibition named “My zodiac animal- prosperous pig” held recently at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi to welcome the year of the pig has attracted many visitors, including foreigners.

The exhibition showcased more than 2,000 works of art and souvenirs from a collection of over 6,000 pig-related objects of historian Duong Trung Quoc and his friends. 

The exhibition is held at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi.  It brings in a new experience for viewers.  Many traditional folk paintings are introduced to visitors for the first time.  Nearly 2,000 pig-shaped items in diverse sizes, models and materials are on display.  The exhibition attracts foreign visitors.  Bat Trang piggy banks draw attention from a foreign child.

As a National Assembly deputy and vice chairman of the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences, historian Duong Trung Quoc had the chance to visit many places on business trips. He developed a hobby of collecting pig-related items because he was born in the year of the pig.

The exhibition displayed models of pigs in different themes, including pigs in Vietnamese culture, pigs in the world and pig-shaped items, helping spread the inspiration with pigs- a zodiac animal in Vietnamese culture which represents prosperity and diligence. Of the displayed items, notably were ceramic piggy banks made from famous Bat Trang craft village, which reflect the habit of saving money of Vietnamese. In the past, a piggy bank was also a favorite Tet toy for Vietnamese children because it was perfect for keeping their lucky money.

Gold-plated pigs made in Bat Trang ceramic village.  The pigs are made from different materials.

The exhibition also featured a collection of pottery pigs by artisan Nguyen Van Toan, the paintings of 12 zodiac animals by artist Le Tri Dung, and folk paintings of pigs, including the one created in 1983 by famous painter Bui Xuan Phai.
 

Story: Ngan Ha - Photos: Khanh Long